In 2019, Cyclone Idai destroyed large parts of the Mozambican port city of Beira. Two years later, a second cyclone struck the city. 70% of Beira’s buildings were damaged in these events. Without thoughtful urban management and water management, the city remains vulnerable to flooding and increasingly extreme weather. In order to build resilience, Peter van Tongeren from the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, in collaboration with Partners for Water and the municipality of Beira, has been working on a better functioning land registry. Van Tongeren explains how this is forming the foundation for a climate-resilient city.
“Beira, partly situated below sea level, is administratively an exception within Mozambique,” begins Van Tongeren. While the country has been governed for almost 50 years by the Frelimo party, Beira has been in the hands of the opposition party Movimento Democrático de Moçambique, founded by former mayor David Simango, for 22 years. “This city administration has a strong motivation to demonstrate that democratic governance and transparent service delivery are indeed possible.” Their vision is supported by a long-term delta cooperation with the Dutch government. This cooperation is financed and managed through the Partners for Water (PfW) program and the Dutch embassy and is locally implemented by VNG International and Kadaster International.
The Beira Master Plan 2035: The foundation for climate-resilient water infrastructure
Beira’s vision for the future is laid out in the Beira Master Plan 2035. This plan was developed in collaboration with the Netherlands and former mayor Simango, to make the city climate-resilient and economically robust. It focuses on crucial themes like drainage and water treatment, coastal protection, waste management, urban planning, economic development and improving living conditions for citizens. However, to maintain and further develop the services delivered and the governance of the city, a solid financial and administrative foundation is needed. And all this begins with a properly functioning land registry.
‘Our man in Beira’
A key figure in the long-term collaboration between the Netherlands and Beira is Peter van Tongeren, known as ‘our man in Beira’ among his Dutch colleagues. A professional HR and organisational consultant by training, he came to Mozambique in 2017 via VNG International to strengthen the municipal government. He found a city with great ambitions, but without the essential foundation of a land registry and clear urban planning to convert that potential into sustainable development.
“When I arrived in Beira, the land registry was stored in the basement of the town hall – and that basement regularly flooded,” explains Van Tongeren. “Files were lost or illegible. People received duplicate land licences, which led to conflicts. Without a proper land registry, you cannot properly plan a city, collect taxes, or manage water infrastructure.”
This realisation led to the start of a large-scale digitalisation project, funded by PfW, the Dutch embassy and others. The project was implemented in collaboration with Kadaster International and the municipality of Beira.
Transforming a flooded basement into a digital database
“The project began with the digitalisation of land registration. A team of twenty local staff was trained to scan and register 40,000 plots. A new database was developed in which all land and property data were correctly stored,” explains Van Tongeren.
With an organised land registry, property rights could be better guaranteed, and urban planners could gain an overview of the available space. But perhaps even more importantly, the municipality gained a means to efficiently collect taxes for water management needs.
“The land registry is the foundation,” explains Van Tongeren. “You can only have a well-functioning climate-resilient city if you are able to maintain essential water infrastructure through taxes. Property tax has the biggest potential for own source revenue. However, in order to collect it, you must know who lives where, which buildings exist, and who needs to pay property taxes.”
From land registry project to sustainable water infrastructure
One of Beira’s major problems is the lack of financial resources. The city is largely dependent on contributions from the national government, which are often delayed or sometimes not paid at all.
“By linking the land registry with the tax collection system, the municipality has been able to triple its income from property tax. It increased from €600,000 in 2018 to €1.8 million in 2023,” explains Van Tongeren. “And that’s just the beginning. We expect that this amount will increase further to €10 million per year in the coming years – equal to the current city budget.”
“With this income, Beira can maintain and expand its water infrastructure,” explains Van Tongeren. “That means money for drainage, sewerage, and coastal protection – essential aspects in a city that is so vulnerable to flooding.
Long-term international delta cooperation
The success of the land registry project is no coincidence. It’s the result of years of consistent cooperation between Beira and the Netherlands. In this effort, PfW and the Dutch embassy work with the local government to provide technical solutions, but also to build governance capacity for sustainable water management.
This cooperation has been made possible in part by the long-term vision of Beira’s previous mayor, Daviz Simango. When he came to power in 2003, he found a city in decline: widespread open defecation, poor waste management, cholera outbreaks, and barely functioning services. “Simango had a clear mission to transform Beira into a prosperous, climate-resilient city and saw cooperation with international partners as essential,” explains Van Tongeren. Under his leadership, the Beira Master Plan was established in 2013, and it still serves as a guide for urban development.
“His unexpected death in 2021 had a significant impact,” says Van Tongeren, “but his successor, Mayor Albano Carige, is continuing his work with the same vision.”
Initiating system change for sustainable water management
“What began as a cadastre project developed into true system change. It has now altered many other areas – from urban planning to governance structures – all working together to sustain Beira’s urban development and water infrastructure,” explains Van Tongeren. “New neighbourhoods are designed in advance rather than emerging spontaneously, and there is also a strong connection with water and sanitation management. For example when new homes are built, flood-prone areas are taken into account.” The PfW-funded VNG project also strengthens Beira municipality’s IT capacity, communication skills, leadership skills and donor coordination, all essential to improving and maintaining quality water infrastructure.
Beira as a model for the climate-resilient city
Beira has now become a role model for other Mozambican cities. “During a seminar in December 2024, multiple municipalities showed interest in the digitalisation model,” says Van Tongeren. “There is much admiration for what Beira is doing. Hopefully, this approach will also be applied in other cities.”
Yet there are challenges. Many municipalities are overwhelmed by day-to-day problems, preventing them from developing long-term resilience strategies. But if one thing is clear, it’s that a well-functioning land registry lays a foundation upon which a climate-resilient city can build.
From reconstruction to climate resilience
What began as a collection of wet papers in a flooded basement is now the backbone of Beira, which is rebuilding itself into a prosperous, resilient and climate-proof city. Thanks to the combination of local vision, international delta cooperation and water management cooperation, and a long-term strategy focused on system change, Beira is becoming a truly climate-resilient city with sustainable water infrastructure.
Find out more about PfW’s work in MozambiqueOn 28 January 2025, water professionals from the Netherlands and Colombia gathered in The Hague for the Colombia Platform Meeting. The event was an opportunity for discussions on strengthening bilateral water cooperation and exploring future possibilities in sustainable water management.
Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken opened the meeting by reflecting on the key takeaways from the COP16 Biodiversity Conference, held in November 2024 in Cali, Colombia. She emphasised the importance of integrating biodiversity into Dutch-Colombian water management practices, highlighting the need for sustainable Nature-based Solutions.
This was followed with an engaging panel discussion featuring industry experts who shared their experiences and insights on managing Colombia’s water sector. Speakers included Jeroen Klooster (Arcadis), Eduardo Marín (Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners), Evelyn Aparicio Medrano, PhD (Future Water) and Betsy Romero (Deltares). They spoke about recent collaborations, lessons learned and emerging opportunities for Dutch expertise in Colombia.
Key insights from the panel discussion:
- Working with the government on policy and planning: Jeroen (Arcadis) stressed the importance of working with governments to establish effective governance structures. He highlighted how essential it is to involve local knowledge in project planning in order to look at water issues from a different perspective.
- Designing inclusive and integral projects: Eduardo (Felixx) focused on the need to reassess the costs of water management consequences and to design projects that align with long-term urban and delta development, with a particular focus on flood prevention.
- Supporting project implementation: Evelyn (Future Water) encouraged the group to cooperate with like-minded people and continue consulting with local stakeholders. She also emphasised that solutions should be based on the actual needs of the community to ensure effectiveness.
- Improving water management for agriculture and biodiversity: Betsy (Deltares) highlighted the importance of engaging local people, understanding their needs and working collaboratively to improve water management practices in agricultural systems that would enhance both biodiversity and water use efficiency.
A longstanding partnership for water security
Colombia is one of the seven delta countries within the Partners for Water programme 2022–2027. Through long-term partnerships, we aim to enhance water security and climate adaptation in Colombia’s delta cities and agricultural regions. Our collaboration with national and local governments, private sector stakeholders, NGOs and knowledge institutions focuses on:
- Implementing master plans: Supporting Colombia’s national government in areas such as coastal erosion, dredging and river transport through case studies and innovative solutions.
- Strengthening the water-biodiversity-food nexus: Facilitating sustainable water use in agriculture, with a focus on palm oil, coffee and banana production in the northern Magdalena region.
- Water as Leverage: Engaging in the Water as Leverage Cartagena Initiative, developing inclusive and innovative climate adaptation projects with Colombian, Dutch and international partners.
The Colombia Platform Meeting was another step towards strengthening Dutch-Colombian cooperation, highlighting opportunities to employ Dutch expertise in sustainable water management.
Are you involved in water projects in Colombia or looking to collaborate? Visit our Deltacountry page to explore partnership opportunities or reach out to Partners for Water’s Project Advisor for Colombia, Robert Proos.
Bangladesh’s coastal polders were built to prevent flooding and saltwater intrusion, but poor governance, weak maintenance, and disjointed coordination have led to waterlogging, erosion, and reduced agricultural productivity. This cycle of inadequate upkeep and recurring failures forces costly reinvestment, perpetuating the Build-Neglect-Rebuild (BNR) pattern.
The Polders of the Future – Sustainable In-Polder Water Management and Resilient Livelihoods in Polder 31 project is an inception phase designed to lay the groundwork for long-term improvements in water management and climate resilience. It builds on findings from the BNR Root Cause Analysis Report and aims to develop a scalable, coordinated approach for better water governance in Bangladesh’s coastal polders.
This six-month inception phase (January – June 2025) is supported through a €300,000 subsidy under the Partners for Water Bangladesh Delta programme. The key outcome of this phase is to secure financing and partnerships for the longer term, full-scale implementation of solutions.
Laying the foundation for sustainable water management
The inception phase will focus on:
- Defining a functional institutional model: Designing an institutional model for in-polder water management, which is locally-led, and at the same time, well-connected with implementing agencies like BWDB.
- Developing a pilot implementation plan: Designing targeted interventions for improved in-polder water management, drainage and salinity control.
- Identifying financing pathways: Engaging relevant stakeholders to secure additional funding for full-scale implementation and long-term sustainability.
- Fostering co-learning and advocacy: Establishing a knowledge-sharing platform to support policy reform and drive systemic change in polder water governance.
- Engaging local actors for long-term maintenance: Ensuring that those who will ultimately be responsible for managing and maintaining water infrastructure are part of the co-creation process.
- Devising an effective and functional coordination mechanism: Establishing a coordination mechanism between different departments like BWDB, DAE, DoF, etc.; and between other institutions like Local Government Institutions (LGIs) and Water Management Organisations (WMOs) to ensure effective coordination.
Who is involved?
This project is funded under the Partners for Water programme and implemented by:
- Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) (Lead Applicant)
- Institute Water Management (IWM) – Technical expert in water resources modelling and management
- Uttaran – NGO with a strong track record in community-driven water management and rural development
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) – Providing advisory support and linking the project to broader polder rehabilitation efforts - Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB)
The Road Ahead: Scaling beyond the inception phase
The Polder 31 initiative is not a standalone project, but the first step of a broader effort to transform water governance in Bangladesh’s coastal polders. A critical goal of this inception phase is to secure additional financing and partnerships for full-scale implementation. This will involve collaboration with government agencies, development partners and the private sector to establish a sustainable, scalable model for integrated water management and resilient livelihoods.
By addressing the root causes of the BNR cycle, this initiative directly supports the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and national climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that coastal water infrastructure is managed proactively rather than reactively.
Learn more about the project and the BNR Root Cause Analysis Report hereBangladesh’s rapidly urbanising pourashavas (municipalities) face increasing challenges of water security, climate resilience and sustainable urban development. The Urban Demonstrators Initiative for Climate and Water Resilient Urban Infrastructure in Bangladesh (2nd Cycle), funded under the Partners for Water programme, aims to accelerate scalable, practical water solutions that enhance urban liveability, flood resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
This initiative is supported by a €500,000 subsidy under the Partners for Water programme running from January 2025 – December 2026.
Scaling smart, sustainable water solutions under the Partners for Water Bangladesh Delta programme.
Building on the success of Urban Demonstrators (UDs) in Raozan and Keshobpur, this new phase expands to 4-6 additional pourashavas, demonstrating how small-scale, Nature-based Solutions can be effectively implemented and scaled across Bangladesh’s 330 municipalities.
Context-Driven, scalable approach
- Fast-Tracked Implementation & Co-Creation: Rapid assessment and execution within six months, ensuring that pourashavas and communities play a central role in design, implementation and long-term management.
- Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Using locally available materials and workforce to create green, water-resilient urban spaces.
- Alternative Financing for Sustainability: Small grants act as catalysts for additional municipal and private investments.
- Strengthening Governance & Capacity: Equipping pourashavas and communities with the expertise and structures needed for long-term operation and maintenance (O&M).
- Peer Learning for Scaling: Enabling knowledge exchange between municipalities to accelerate widespread adoption of effective urban water management practices.
The approach empowers cities, their people, and environments to lead their own development through context-specific interventions, while a scalable model—based on rapid scoping and implementation within a year—encourages replication across Bangladesh, fostering citizen action for more liveable cities and building trust between communities and local governments.
Beyond individual interventions: a broader urban vision
By focusing on horizontal upscaling, this initiative goes beyond isolated projects. For example, a green space along an urban canal should not just be a one-time intervention but part of a broader effort to revitalise the entire canal system. Similarly, by engaging with municipal teams and communities, who ultimately maintain these spaces, this approach ensures long-term sustainability and helps prevent the Build-Neglect-Rebuild (BNR) cycle often seen in infrastructure projects.
Who is involved?
The project is funded under the Partners for Water programme and implemented by IHE Delft, in collaboration with:
- 4-6 Pourashavas – Municipal governments implementing solutions in their cities
- ACL – Leading engineering and consultancy firm in Bangladesh
- CEGIS – Experts in environmental and geospatial analysis for sustainable development
- C4RE – Citizen-centred urban design and technical partner
Impact & vision
The Urban Demonstrators Initiative contributes to Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100, strengthening the connection between on-the-ground action and national climate resilience goals. By integrating Nature-based Solutions, practical capacity building and innovative financing, this project offers a scalable model for sustainable urban development in Bangladesh.
🔗 Learn more
- Demonstrating smart solutions for resilient cities (un-ihe.org) (November 2021)
- Cities and towns key to Bangladesh’s sustainable development (un-ihe.org) (May 2022)
- Improving quality of life in Bangladeshi towns (un-ihe.org) (June 2022)
- Bangladesh: Small community grants with big, green effects in growing cities (un-ihe.org) (October 2024)
- Key features of Urban Demonstrators (PDF)
- Press release published in Dhaka Tribune (wdpprepository.org)
“Water – it’s a door opener to international political collaborations.” Ivan Pastor, Partners for Water’s new intern, brings a fresh perspective on water management. Having studied European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and growing up with a father working in the water sector has given him a keen perspective on water’s political role. Nice to meet you Ivan!
“My father spent his entire career working on international water programmes. Having witnessed the impact of water projects through his eyes sparked my fascination with this vital resource,” Ivan explains. “Through this internship, I can combine my interest in water with my study expertise and learn more about water’s crucial role in international relations.”
The significance of water security
“Water is becoming increasingly critical,” notes Ivan. “Climate change causes droughts, even in the Netherlands and growing sectors like AI and other industries require significant water resources, making sustainable water management more crucial every day.” For Ivan, water’s universal relevance makes it a fascinating field. “Water touches everything – it’s connected to industry, nature, society and politics. That’s what makes it both pressing and incredibly interesting,” he reflects.
Ivan at Aquatech
At Partners for Water, Ivan plays a key role in preparing the Netherlands Pavilion, the vibrant hub for innovative Dutch technology at Aquatech 2025. “The Netherlands Pavilion at Aquatech represents a unique opportunity to showcase Dutch water expertise,” Ivan shares. “We’re collaborating with NWP, Water Alliance and many other Dutch water organisations to present the Netherlands as a global leader in water management and to inspire the international water sector with Dutch innovative technologies and approaches.”
Many delegations will be visiting the Netherlands Pavilion and various Partners for Water project partners of will give presentations. “My role is to coordinate the diverse schedule of presentations and delegations,” Ivan explains. Beyond the planning phase, he will be on-site to assist with welcoming visitors and delegates and supporting presentations. “I’m really excited to be part of this international event and help showcase what makes Dutch water expertise so unique.”
Bridging theory and practice
For Ivan, this internship represents an opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical experience. “While my studies focus on European politics and international relations, this internship allows me to understand how water serves as a diplomatic tool. I’ve learnt that the Dutch water sector often opens doors for international cooperation, starting with water but growing into broader partnerships.”
Understanding the ‘why’
“I’m not only learning about the political significance of water but also about the importance of understanding root causes through stakeholder engagement”, Ivan shares. “Grasping the ‘why’ behind existing problems is essential in developing relevant solutions. This requires asking the right questions to the right people – a practice I see continuously at Partners for Water.” Ivan continues, “This deep dive approach into the ‘why’ and engaging with all stakeholders is something I’ll definitely take with me in my future career in international relations.”
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Yes I want to stay up to dateAt the second matchmaking event at the Social Impact Factory in Utrecht on 16 January, seventeen projects were showcased that have recently been awarded financial support through the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme. The presentations took place in three different rooms, where the enthusiastic audience of about fifty people was divided. Afterwards, attendees had the opportunity to visit each room, ask questions to the presenters, and, of course, make valuable connections and exchange ideas. As Hugo de Vries (PfW) explained in his introduction speech, the presentations provided valuable insights into what other organisations are working on and the goals they aim to achieve with the support of Partners for Water.
During the presentations, Gregor van Essen from The Water Agency discussed the Green Batik Pekalongan initiative. This two-year pilot project in Indonesia aims to develop a sustainable water management model for the batik industry, which has been crucial to the country since the 17th century but is known for its high water consumption. The project will test water conservation solutions at selected workshops and, in the next phase, establish a Green Batik Centre at Universitas Pekalongan (the “Capital of Batik”) to promote sustainable production practices.
Additionally, Livio Bod from SPAAK presented a pilot project in Morocco’s Boulemane region, which introduces a Nature-based Solution (NBS) to improve water catchment and retention in agricultural soils. By combining rain and flood analysis, advanced software, and local knowledge, this project aims to validate the approach for large-scale implementation across Morocco, where agriculture is a key economic sector.
Discover the projectsStill one remaining subsidy round
We do hope we have inspired you to submit an innovative project idea! There is still one remaining subsidy round within the Partners for Water programme. If anything is unclear or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via email . Remember to schedule a mandatory intake interview before 28 February. If you’ve already had your intake interview, then you’re ready to submit! This is possible until 28 March. Apply and find out whether your innovative water pilot or feasibility project will receive a financial boost.
Want to learn more about the Partners for Water subsidy scheme?
Check out our video to better understand how the process works and how you can benefit from it!
Does your innovative water idea need a financial boost?
The Welang River in East Java, Indonesia, is a crucial lifeline for nearby communities, providing water for daily use and supporting local agriculture. As cities expand and populations grow, however, the river has faced increasing challenges such as flooding, erosion and pollution. The Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands, through its Partners for Water programme are investing in the Welang River Basin Transformation Project to tackle these challenges and protect both the river and the people who depend on it. This is the third article in the miniseries on the Welang River Basin project, highlighting the role of Nature-based Solutions for integrated water management.
During the rainy season, the Welang basin, specifically in Sidogiri and Welang Lama, experiences floods at least once a year. Notably during the recent rainy seasons in 2022 and 2023, floodwaters of up to one-meter caused the Welang Lama river to overflow, inundating several districts including the villages of Sukorejo and Karangketug. This disaster caused economic and infrastructural losses to affected people in this area.
In response to the recurring flooding issues, the Indonesian government, through the East Java Province, has partnered with the Netherlands government to implement the Welang River Basin Transformation Project. This initiative will be executed by a Netherlands-Indonesian consortium, consisting of Witteveen+Bos, Nuffic Southeast Asia and AidEnvironment. Sidogiri and Welang Lama were selected as pilot sites to address the flooding challenges. One of the project’s primary objectives is to design effective flood protection measures for these areas through a collaborative co-creation and design phase.
Collaborative co-creation (co-design) supports participatory design as a fundamental aspect of Sustainable Design Principles (SDPs). The co-design process involves active participation from local communities, landowners and government stakeholders, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that the final outcomes are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of those involved. The process is divided into four stages:
- Needs and Demands: this stage focuses on identifying the challenges and needs of the communities while understanding local environmental issues. To achieve this, the consortium, in partnership with students from Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Universitas Brawijaya (UB) and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), conducted site visits along the Sumber Pinang and Welang Lama rivers. These visits included hydraulic modelling and flood assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of the area’s vulnerabilities.
- Co-Creation of Solution: during this stage, technical expertise is combined with local knowledge to design effective interventions. Stakeholder workshops were organised, involving the consortium, the Department of Public Works and Water Resources, universities and local villagers. These sessions facilitated knowledge sharing and discussions, leading to the identification of potential structural and non-structural measures to address flooding.
- Complementing Solutions: Solutions were refined based on community feedback and further analysis. Conceptual designs were developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Water Resources, the consortium and the universities. These frameworks were then shared and discussed with villagers to ensure that the solutions reflected their needs and input.
- Validation and Implementation: The final stage involved evaluating the proposed solutions to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with institutional policies. Final outcomes were presented to the communities, outlining the next steps with an emphasis on transparency and trust-building.
By following these structured stages, the co-design process promotes inclusivity, knowledge sharing and community-driven solutions to effectively address local environmental and flooding challenges. Each phase employs distinct participatory design approaches to ensure that all parties are involved and can contribute based on their background and expertise. The following table outlines the co-design process, detailing each stage and the corresponding participatory design methods used:
Recommended set of measures in the report: first picture Welang Lama area | second picture Sidogiri area
Miniseries on the Welang River Basin project
This is the fourth article in the miniseries on the Welang River Basin project, highlighting the role of youth in sustainable waste management. Below you can find the links to other articles in the series:
Article 1: The role of trusted advisors
Article 2: Practical implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
Article 3: Empowering youth for sustainable waste mangement
Article 4: A participatory design approach
On 16 January, the second matchmaking event took place at the Social Impact Factory in Utrecht. The name of the location is undoubtedly fitting, as the event brought together a diverse and enthusiastic audience of government employees, NGOs, companies, lobbyists, and even a few journalists, all eager to explore how they could support one another and collaborate more effectively to achieve a shared goal: improving water security globally. The main objective of the afternoon was to generate new subsidy applications for innovative water projects under the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme.
Bram van der Wielen from Partners for Water kicked off the event by providing an overview of the projects currently supported by the organisation. At present, there are 57 projects in 28 countries, most notably in Vietnam, with six specific projects there. Van der Wielen explained that there are both feasibility and pilot projects running. Feasibility projects focus on research and analysis to assess whether an idea is viable, while pilot projects are focused on testing solutions in the field to confirm their practical application before scaling up.
Knowledge transfer and global water challenges
The attendees were then divided into two rounds across five tables, each focused on a specific theme. At Table 4, where Infrastructure and sustainable waterways were discussed, one participant emphasised the importance of avoiding repeated investments in the same infrastructure. This can be achieved by making locations financially, institutionally, and knowledge-wise independent. Throughout the discussions at the various tables, the focus was strongly on knowledge transfer and self-reliance, rather than dependency.
At Table 3, Water-Biodiversity-Food, one participant expressed the ambitious desire to clean “all the water in the Netherlands and beyond,” while another highlighted the urgent need for assistance in Spain, where significant social issues and rising saltwater levels have a large impact. “This is a huge problem in the Mediterranean,” was emphasised during the discussion.
Water availability, climate adaptation, and local solutions
Table 1, which was dedicated to Water Quality and Availability, was particularly crowded during the second round. Everyone took turns introducing themselves, after which Gábor Szántó from Partners for Water asked follow-up questions to explore the potential for collaboration. For example, journalist Vincent Kuypers spoke about the situation in the Nile Delta, where 2 million people have been relocated in the past two years. The local authorities had asked him: “Can you go to Holland and see how we can collaborate?” “Despite my long experience in the field, I have never seen anything like this before,” said Kuypers. The aim was for the people of Egypt —not just the wealthy—to be able to protect themselves and secure their future.
At the Climate Adaptation table, number 2, a participant from Ghana focused on giving ownership to vulnerable groups and emphasised the need to explore which crops and foodstuffs would be most economically viable in the local environment. “Does anyone have a solution for me?” he asked his tablemates directly. Cards, phone numbers, and social media accounts were exchanged in abundance.
Reflections on another dynamic matchmaking event
Given the numerous conversations between different parties in various languages—during which not only a great deal of information was exchanged but also much laughter shared—the event can be considered a success. We hope that many valuable connections were made, leading to fruitful collaborations and exciting projects in the future. We aimed to provide more information on the Partners for Water subsidy scheme, making the application process easier for everyone. Did we succeed? Or do you have any feedback? Please let us know your thoughts by sending us an email: partnersforwater@congresbureau.nl
Learn more about the Partners for Water subsidy scheme
The Welang River in East Java, Indonesia, is a vital resource for the nearby communities providing water for daily use and supporting local agriculture. However, as cities expand and populations grow, the river has faced increasing problems such as flooding, erosion and pollution. In response, the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands, through its Partners for Water programme have initiated the Welang River Basin Transformation Project to tackle these challenges and protect both the river and the people who depend on it.
Waste disposal in the river can lead to flooding, as the accumulation of waste can block drainage systems. In this context, youth engagement in environmental protection, particularly in waste management, is pivotal. Youth has the potential to be the “agents of change” in keeping the river clean from waste by implementing innovative and sustainable waste management practices and sharing the practices with other generations.
Empowering youth in waste management begins with education, making schools crucial platforms in fostering awareness and encouraging better behaviours such as sorting and recycling to ultimately reduced waste that enters rivers. Recognizing this, the Welang River Basin Transformation organised waste management workshops for two public elementary schools (Sekolah Dasar Negeri-SDN) in the Welang Catchment Area: SDN Sukorejo and SDN Tambakrejo. These schools, located in flood-prone regions, were strategically chosen as they serve as contained communities and provide an excellent opportunity to engage youth as potential agents of change in their local communities. The workshops were facilitated by Forum Kabupaten Pasuruan Sehat (FKPS) under the leadership of Mr. Apri, demonstrating a collaborative effort to address environmental challenges through education.
The workshops included in-class presentations and hands-on activities focused on waste sorting, creating simple biopore infiltration holes and using stacked buckets. The students actively participated and responded with enthusiasm. During the workshop, SDN Sukorejo students brought their household waste to school, while those at SDN Tambakrejo acted as “waste detectives,” collecting and sorting waste on campus. They organised waste into organic and inorganic categories, disposing of organic waste in biopore holes or stacked buckets. To keep the learning process engaging, competitions were introduced that encouraged proper waste sorting.
While a more extensive educational programme is indeed necessary for sustained behavioural change, this workshop provided foundational knowledge on the link between mismanaged waste, flooding, waste sorting and waste recycling. This initiative aims to improve awareness among youth on river conditions and waste management, empowering them to protect and preserve their environment for the life of future generations.
Miniseries on the Welang River Basin project
This is the third article in the miniseries on the Welang River Basin project, highlighting the role of youth in sustainable waste management. Below you can find the links to other articles in the series:
Article 1: The role of trusted advisors
Article 2: Practical implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
Article 3: Empowering youth for sustainable waste mangement
Article 4: A participatory design approach